Independent watchmaker Reservoir was born from founder François Moreau’s love of all things mechanical. And while his passion drew him to the technical instruments of the automotive, aeronautical and marine worlds, echoed in design details of his timepieces, this appreciation of a well-engineered machine extends to even more surprising arenas. 

Like watchmaking, the music industry has an enduring, and somewhat complicated, relationship with analogue technology. Despite the digitising of many elements of the production process, in some areas old-school methods of display still work best. This is particularly true when it comes to the VU metre, showing the signal level in audio equipment. Traditionally this is done through a hand that arcs its way across a scale, allowing for quick-changing readings. 

It’s a formation that is more than familiar to Reservoir, and the retrograde display, showing a function of the watch in a linear design, is a key and defining element of many of its creations. For its new Sonomaster Chronograph, however, it has taken this approach a step further, translating the timing functions of a chronograph into an idiosyncratic and carefully balanced design. 

Instead of the usual round subcounters, its look is dominated by the two opposing displays on either side of the dial; to the left a retrograde seconds marked 0-30, to the right the date display, with a hand that snaps back at the end of the month. The chronograph minute counter is tucked away at 6 o’clock and the hour counter at 12 o’clock, discreet enough not to interrupt the unique aesthetic while remaining highly readable. This is made possible thanks to the new calibre RSV-Bi120, which also offers a sizable 60-hour power reserve. 

Completing its vintage-influenced feel are a number of subtle details. The crown takes its form from that of an amplifier control button, which the push buttons draw inspiration from those used for the bass and treble. Meanwhile, in a quirky finishing touch, the retrograde displays feature the “red zone” commonly seen on VU metres to indicate distortion or overload. Although fear not; with Reservoir’s precision timekeeping you can rest assured that this watch will beat perfectly to time.

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